THE TEMUKA RIFLES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1417, 12 November 1885, Page 2

THE TEMUKA RIFLES.

After the volunteer movements came fo a close n,i last Monday evening, the Temuka Rifles proceeded to G-een Hayes, ivhere they were entertained at Hinder by Cap'ain J. T. M. Hayhurat. Great preparations were nvide for their reception. On the lawn in front of the heiutifnl resilience of Captain Haylnirst a large marquee was erected, and in this twj large tables were laid out and plemifuly supp'led with the best of everything, from plain but substantial roast" beef to the urentest delicacies of the season, and the best of wines. There were 54 of the Temuka Rifles at the review, sll of whom, with two or three exceptions, attended. The members of the Band and a number of private citizens (including Mr John Jackson, Mayor of Timarti) were also present, so that there could not have been less than 60 persons sat down to dinner. On the right of the host were the Rev, T. A. Hamilton (Chaplain), Dr Campbell (Surgeon), and Lieut. White, and on h'S left w«th Majors Young and Newall, and Lieut. Findlay. After the good things were discussed, >md the c'oth removed, Mrs J. T. M. Hayhurst, accompanied by Mrs J. Hayhurat and a bevy of ladies, entered, and were accommodated with seats at the end of the table. Oaptain Hayhurst then called on those present to drink "The health of Her Majesty the Queen." The toast was duly honored, and the Band played The National Anthem. Captain Hayhurst next proposed " The Prince of Wales," and in doing so referred to that day's proceedings, and expressed a hope that if they looked after their own interests properly it would become an annual affair. The <o<ißt having been drank, the Band played "God Bless the Prince of Wales." Mr Twomey regretted that he hud been selected to propose the to>st of "The Army, Navy and Volunteers," as he telt himself not equal to doing it justice, They must all atimire the Army that so frequently carried the British flag to victory, nor could they fail to hntor the Navy, by whose prowess Britain ruled the waves. Coming to the Volunteers, with whom they were more intimately and more closely associated, he was sure no one would deny them a meed of praise. They were sometimes sneered at, bathe never sympathised with such. (Sneers), The blood that courted through the veins of the heroes of Waterloo and Rorke's Drift flowed as freely through the veins of the Volunteers of New Zealand. They came of the same old stock, and there was no reason in the world why they should not fight if called upon to do so ag pluckily and bravely as their forefathers had don?. (Cheers). As regards the remarks made by Captain Hayhurat to the effect that if they looked after their own interests they might be üble to have a field day, such as they had on that day, in Temuka once a year, he was sure they would all agree that Captain Hay. hurst had done his share towards securing for Temuka so desirable an advantage. (Hear, hear). He was not accustomed to u*e honeyed word», flutery was not his forte, but he believed that no one would accuse him of flittery if he said that Captain Hayhurst could not have gone about Becuring " Muny happy returns of the day" better than he had done it. (Applause). He h'td great pleasure in proposing the toast of " The Army and Navy and Volunteers," coupled with the names of Dr Campbell, the Rev. T. A. Hamilton, and Mtjor Young. The toast having been honored, ])r Campbell responded ou beh»lf of the Army. As they all knew he had been in the Army, and could say after what he had seen that day that he had no fear but that the Volunteers would give a good account of themselves if called upon to do so. There were many things connected with the Army that could not fail to fill their hearts with enthusiasm. In many cases the British soldiers had fought one to tpn and won the battle (cheers), and lie had no doubt but that the knowledge of fhU would arouse tho Volunteers to vindicate the gloty of their country if called upon to do so. (Cheers). He had been in the Army, and bad two brothers in it, his father had entered Paris with the allied Army, and his uncle was at the B ittle of Trafalgar. (Chsorn). No soldier would ever her of the Battle of Trafalgar without feeling his heart leap, but ha would leave it. to the Rev. Mr Hamilton to speak on, and would thank them for the way they had received the toast. The "Rev. Mr Hamilton responded on behalf of the Navy. He had been 12 years in the Navy, and could therefore enjoy the proceedings of that day. He had watched them with great pleasure. He was particularly pleased with the steadiness of the Temuka men. A young lady told him they were the handsomest company on the ground. (Laughter). He thought, however, that the blue jackets excelled them in skirmishing, as they always did. There was one thing he would remind thein of, ami that was loyalty. Whatever they did let them always be loyal to their chiefs. They noticed that the Army and Navy wero coming closer together lately. This was because the wooden walls of England had given way to her tin tubs. He knew Lord Biresford, and had been in the same training ship with him, and thyy might take him as an example of loyalty. In one battle a youth who was leading I fell mortaliy wounded, and when hia commanding offrer lent over him the youth's words were "Did I not lead them straight?" That was loyalty, and it was the same loyalty at Trafalgar when the cry went forth " England expects every man to do his duty," He was sure they would do their duty, and as good soldiers he would aek them to be loyal to the Captain of their Salt-aiioo. (Hear, hear). As the Army and Navy were coming closer together so were the various Christian sects, and he would irr-press upon them as their Chaplain to be always true Christains. (Applause). Major Young, on behalf of the Volnnteers, said the Volunteers would be the future defenders of New Zealand. He would not say much now as he would speak at a] later period, but he might say that he was one of the first to initiate the Volunteer movement in this district. He wan pleased with what it had come to, he was delighted with that, and its results would bo good. He was glad that drill was being taught in the schools, and expressed a hope that England, Ireland and Seollmd would long be ab'e to defend themselves. (Applause). Lieut. Find lay proposed the toast of "Th» Stsff," .coupUd with tb« turn* of

Major Newall, Thftv had learned a great deal from Major Newall. Thera wa« no time be name that he did not teach them something new. Song—Mr Robert Foster, of Tirr.aru, "The Gallants of England," with characteristic ahiliry. Ma ; or Newall responded to the toaet which had been drunk with musicH) honors, and begged tp thank them on his own and Colouel Bniley's behalf. It w»n kind of Lieut. Find lay to speak so well of him, considering'that he (M»jor Newall) had often given him a wigging. It often went against hiu grain to reprimand, but it became absolutely necessary so as to improve the corps. They had at their head an officer in Colonel Bailey thßt had the true grit in him. They might remark that on Ibat day he was thrown by his horae, but inatead of complaining of the horse he remounted and conquered the animal, restive (nought it was. This was a small thing, but it showed the true soldier. They bad a fine lot of fellows; fine in physique—Corporal Levens for instance (laughter)—but there was room for improvement. They had improved Bince he came amongst them. They were then not in a very flourishing position. Major Young had resigned, and Lieut. Findlay was too modest to :ake the Captaincy. After a time Captain Bay hurst was induced to join. He was tbrn modest and retiring, and it was with difficulty ho was brought oul, but in a very short time he acquired sufficient knowledge of his duties to be able to stand before them without a blush and drill bis men as well as anyone could. The corp had since increased from 27 to 57. They had also a Captain's wife that took a deep interest in them—(Cheers) - -and they were on the high road to prosperity. Dr Campbell proposed the toast of " Strangers," coupled with tho names of Mr John Jackson and Mr J. Brown. The toast having been drank, Mr Jackson responded. During that day he had been thinking, on seeing what had been going on, that if any disturbance arose during his Mayoralty he need not fear, as there was a very efficient army within easy distance of him. The interests of Timaru and Temuka were identical, and he hoped they would always be found working together. He felt glad at the prospect of the review being held in Temuka every year, and, if it were, he would make it his business to attend. Mr Brown a»id be was in Temuka before any Volunteer Company started, and was glad to see them flourishing. He had a narro.v escape of being a soldier. He once went to enlist, but was not tall enough, and was rejected. (Laughter.) He admired Volunteers, because they worked not for themselves but for the public—and that without pay. Temuka was a grand place for the review, and he hoped it would be held here again. Song—Corporal Levens. Major Young proposed "The Temuka Rifles," coupled with the names of Lieutenants Findlay and White. He gave a history of the corps, be being one of the first to start it. They had no en- I couragement from headquarters then, and a drill instructor came down only about once in twelve months. But they formed the corps, and the men that joined became more respectful and respectable, and were the better for it. Although they had no encouragement, they had 87 on the roll ; and they seldom had less than 50 on parade. He could not forget their kindness to himself. After having been eleven months ill, he had to go Home, to England, and they him twelve months' leave of absence -and when he came back his doctor advised him to sever his connection with them. The Volunteers would not hear of it, and so he had to hold his position till he retired with the rank he now held. As Major Newall had said, Lieutenant Findlay was the best of officers, but no persuasion could ever maka him become captain. He was glad now that he did not, as it resulted in the corps being commanded by the captain they now had. (Cheers.) The toast having been drank with musical honors, Lieutenant Findlay said he had been connected with the Corps since within nine months of its formation. He commenced as a private and rose to his present position, and had seen many ups and downs in it. He saw the time when only six turned up for inspection. The present hall was then used as an immigration barracks. They had a good muster on paper, but very few attended parade. Colonel Packe got them back the hall, and fince thea they flourished —till they were now better than ever they were. He was proud to think he had refused the captaincy, as it resulted in their getting the captain they had got now. (Cheers.) He had been pressed very hard to take it, but he believed he had done right in not taking it. He had often held command of them—he had been twelve months m command as a sergeant with no other officer —and he was glad to say the men always stuck faithfully to him. If they stuck as faithfully to their present captain, they would not regret it. He was sure they would, and that they would be second to no curpi in the colony. Lieutenant White said as an old soldier he was pleased to b*long to them. They had had many ups and downi", but they had hung together, aod they were now better than they ever were before. He thanked them for the manner iu which they bad drank the toast. Volunteer Mason in a few felicitous remarks proposed the toast of "The Press," coupled with the names of MessrH Twomey and Bolton, both of whom suitably responded. Sergeant-Major Coira proposed the toast of "The Band," coupled with the names of Bandmaster Harrison and Sergt. Rutland. The Bind in Temuka had a history. It was first started with a tin dish, a fiddle with two strings, a banjo with one string, two tin whistles, a kerogene tin as a drum, and a large funnel as a trombone. Thij was the origin of the Band. Shortly after a proper Band was got together, and 17 years ago they had a better band than at present. The price of the instruments was raised by subscriptions, and they got £l2O altogether, and bad an excellent Band. He hoped the Band would stick to the Volunteers and would have frequent marches". Bandmaster Harrison thanked them for tb« manner in which they bad drank the taost of the Band. Of course they had not got used to the Volunteers yet, but t,li,,y intruded to do their best, and he hoi>ed-tb» day would corns when they woald"- be proud of tli«m.

Band-Sergeant Rutland claimed to be the oldest Volunteer preseut. He was a Volunteer in 1863, when they were preparing fi-r Maori war in Christchurch. He whn proud to be still a Volunteer and a Bandsman. He was one of the first to start the Band, and so long as Captain Havhursfc and the Company treated them "fell they would fiud the Band would su'ck to them. Bandmaster Harrison proposed the toast of " The Ladies," and culled on Sergeant • Woodhead to refcpend, which request was felicitously complied with. Major Young proposed the toast of " The Host and Hostess," Captain and Mrs Hayhurst. He was sure it was a toast they would all drink heartily. He had known Captain and Mrs Hayhu rst ever since they were born, and knew their parents before them, and the more he knew of them tho better he liked them. He liked Captain Hayhurst the more because ho succeeded himself in command of the Temuka Rifles, and had been so far very successful. He was sure that under Captain Hayhurst the Company would be very prosperous, and would become second to none in the colony. He would a*k them to fill their glasses to the brim and drink the toast ia the manner which it deserved. The toast having been drunk enthusiastically, and the Band having played appropriate music, Captain Hayhurst thanked them on behalf of himself. He seed not speak for Mrs fioyhurnt, she could speak for herself because sha was the better speaker. (Laughter). She had more experience. (Laughter). He could not go into any long history of bis connection with the Company, but since he joined them he had done his best. He was glad to say the Company was prosperous, and that the men were attending well. If they stuck to him he would always try to do his best. He begged to thank them for the manner in which they had drank bis health. In response to an enthusiastic call, Mrs Hayhurst rose and made the neatest and best speech ot the evening. She did not think it her duty to speak. It was her husband's duty to speak for her. He need not have said* she did all the talk, he generally did his fair share of it. (Laughter and cheers). She sincerely thanked them for the manner in which they had received the toast, and assured them that she would always do anything she could for them. There was one thing that troubled her. She did not understand military movements, and she often wished she did. (Great cheering). She intended to get a few lessons from Sergeant-Major Jones (laughter), so that she might be the better able to understand them. She again thanked them sincerely, and would always do anything she could for them. (Enthusiastic Cheers). This having't'oncluded the list of toasts, the Band struck up the National Anthem, and after it was played the company separated with many good wishes for Captain and Mrs Hayhurst.